If you’re planning on visiting Morocco, you might be wondering if drinking alcohol is legal here. After all, Morocco is a Muslim country and alcohol is prohibited in the Quran.
The answer is yes, drinking alcohol in Morocco is legal, so you will be able to enjoy something stronger than mint tea.
There are, however, some restrictions that you will need to abide by when you’re visiting the country. Drinking alcohol in Morocco is a bit more complicated compared to countries like France, Poland, Thailand or Brazil, for example.
Alcohol may not always be easy to come by, but Morocco isn’t a “dry” country, and there are places where you can have a drink.
I drank alcohol a couple of times when I was in Morocco and I didn’t face any problems. This being said, there are some important things you should know and I’ve included all of them in this guide.
So, let’s dive right into it. From what to keep in mind when drinking alcohol in Morocco to where to buy it and how expensive it is, here’s everything you need to know about the subject.
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Can You Drink Alcohol in Morocco?
Although drinking is allowed in Morocco, alcohol has to be purchased and consumed in licensed hotels, bars and tourist areas. It can also be bought in larger supermarkets, where you will find alcoholic drinks in a separate room.
In most places, drinking alcohol in public is against the law and it could get you into trouble with the police. Most licensed bars don’t have any windows, which prevents people outside from looking in. There are, however, a small number of bars where alcohol is served outside and where tourists are allowed to drink publicly.
So, when in Morocco, I would avoid drinking alcohol anywhere else than in a licenced bar or hotel. The only place where I saw tourists drinking publicly was at the tables in front of the bars at the beach in Agadir.
When it comes to drinking and driving, Morocco has a zero-tolerance approach, so don’t do it.
How is Alcohol Perceived in Morocco?
It’s important to note that even though you can drink alcohol in Morocco, drinking doesn’t have a very good image and many locals see alcohol as a Western drug.
Drinking alcohol is forbidden by Islam. As most of Morocco’s population (99%) is Muslim and Islam is the state religion here, alcohol isn’t perceived as something good.
Alcohol is an intoxicant, and in the Quran, intoxicants are seen as the work of Satan. That’s why drinking alcohol is haram or forbidden for Muslims.
Do locals drink alcohol in Morocco?
There’s a law that forbids Muslim Moroccans to purchase alcohol, so you won’t see many locals drinking it.
It’s estimated that 95% of the population does not drink alcohol. This being said, Moroccans are drinking more than they did a couple of years ago according to a study. This is done in secret though, so it’s still a good idea to be discrete and avoid walking around the city when you’re drunk.
☕ When you’re in Morocco, people will probably offer you “Berber whisky”. Don’t be fooled, though, as this is not actual whisky but Moroccan mint tea.
Drinking Alcohol During Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting in Islam. During this period, Muslims won’t eat or drink from dusk til dawn. As a consequence, restaurants, food stalls and shops in many Muslim countries, including Morocco, will be closed during the day.
Even if you’re not fasting yourself, it’s more respectful to avoid eating and drinking publically during this period. You will still be able to order food in hotels, though, and it’s fine to eat there.
After sunset, restaurants and supermarkets are often open until 1 am and everyone will come out to eat. So evenings are the ideal time to stock up on food and drinks.
When it comes to alcohol, tourists are still allowed to drink during the month of Ramadan, but only a few restaurants will serve it.
It’s important to be even more discrete if you decide to drink alcohol during Ramadan, though. This is a holy month for Muslims and given that the Quran explicitly forbids consuming alcohol, it might be seen as offensive to drink during this month, even if you’re not a Muslim.
📅 Note that Ramadan is based on the Islamic calendar and occurs at a different time each year. Make sure to check when it takes place when you’re planning your trip to Morocco.
Where Can You Buy Alcohol in Morocco?
You can find plenty of licenced bars, restaurants and supermarkets that sell alcohol in Marrakech. This city even has a couple of licensed liquor stores.
Alcohol can also be found in the hotels and liquor shops of other big cities like Agadir, Fes, Tangier, Casablanca and Rabat, or in supermarkets like Carrefour and Atacadão.
You will rarely find it in the city’s medina (the ancient part of the city), though, so head to the new town if you want to have a drink.
Note that you won’t be able to find alcoholic drinks everywhere in Morocco. They’re nearly impossible to find in the countryside or if you’re heading off the beaten path.
It’s good to know that you will find nearly all kinds of alcohol in Morocco, from beer and wine to gin and tequila.
Locally Produced Moroccan Alcoholic Drinks
Although alcohol is forbidden by Islam, the state religion, there are Moroccan alcoholic beverages! You will find these below.
Moroccan beer
As the French introduced the production of beer in the 20th century, Morocco has a few local beers.
The country’s premium beer is Casablanca, named after the largest city in the country. This beer is slightly more expensive than the others, but it also has the reputation of being the best beer in Morocco.
Other popular Moroccan beers are Flag Spéciale and Stork. These are all distributed by the Société des Brasseries du Maroc, which belongs to Heineken.
Moroccan wine
Although it’s true that wine is more of a French drink, it has also been produced in North Africa since the Phoenicians colonized its coasts over 2,500 ago. During the last centuries, the production of wine started booming in Morocco. Today, the country is the second-largest producer of wine in the Arab world.
Morocco has five big wine regions: Meknès/Fès, the East, the Northern Plane, Rabat/Casablanca, and El-Jadida. While most of the wines (75%) produced here are red, Morocco also produces grey wines, which is a variation of rosé. White wines only make up 3% of the country’s wine production.
Some of Morocco’s most famous brands of wine are Gerrouane, Beni M’Tir, and Berkane.
🍷 If you like wine, then visiting a Moroccan vineyard and going wine tasting might be a fun activity. Viator offers a wine-tasting tour from Marrakesh that includes a desert ride in the desert.
Mahia
Mahia, meaning “water of life” in Moroccan, is a spirit made from dates or figs with the addition of aniseed. This drink was first produced by Moroccan Jews around 1900.
It’s quite hard to come by, however, as the Jewish population fled and the production of Mahia decreased. Some people still make it at home, though, and you can find it in some liquor stores.
Is Alcohol Expensive in Morocco?
It depends on where you’re from, but overall, drinking alcohol in Morocco is on the more expensive side.
Compared to countries in Europe, alcohol is quite expensive in this country, as it’s highly taxed. It’s also expensive when you compare it to the price of other drinks in Morocco.
You can expect to pay €2,50 to €3,50 ($2,90 to $4) for a 25 cl domestic beer and €4 to €6 ($4,65 to $7) for a 33 cl beer.
You will pay more in bars and restaurants, so you will want to head to the supermarket or alcohol shop if you’re looking for the cheapest prices.
Can You Bring Alcohol to Morocco?
Bringing alcohol to Morocco is possible, but you will have to make sure that you’re not carrying more than 1 litre with you when you’re entering the country.
Do check Morocco’s most recent entry requirements before bringing alcohol to Morocco, as the rules may change.
Although it is possible, I don’t think bringing your own alcohol to Morocco is necessary, as it is possible to find it in the country.
Drinking Alcohol in Morocco: Final Thoughts
Although it is possible to drink alcohol in Morocco, it is frowned upon, so be mindful of the local culture and don’t drink in public areas (this is illegal).
It’s good to know that you will be able to find many types of alcoholic beverages in licenced hotels, bars and most tourist areas.
Alcohol is on the expensive side in this country, though, and you should be aware of the fact that not every place serves alcoholic drinks. If you’re travelling to the countryside or untouristy areas, chances are that you won’t find any places serving alcohol.
As for me, I drank alcohol in a couple of places in Morocco, but this was always in bigger cities and most of the time, it was inside my hotel. Each time I ordered or bought something with alcohol, people reacted professionally, but it still made me feel slightly uncomfortable because of how alcohol is perceived here.
There’s nothing to worry about as long as you don’t drink alcohol in public places and are respectful, though.
Is anything missing from this guide or do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments below!
Read more about Morocco:
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8 comments
Interesting post. Thanks for sharing! Mahia, that’s funny.
Thank you! I’m glad it’s useful! 🙂
Useful information. Thank you
Thanks for your comment, I’m glad it helps! 🙂
amazing article thank you for charing this great info with us
Hi This has been very helpful in considering morocco as a holiday destination – could you give some guidance on vaping in the country also please?
Hi Clare, I’m glad it’s helpful! 🙂 Vaping is legal for adults in Morocco (just like cigarettes), but smoking indoors is banned in some cities.
Excellent post! we are really appreciate this helpful masterpiece!.